How far is Lake Charles, LA from Elmwood, LA?
The driving distance from Lake Charles, LA to Elmwood, LA is about 200.9 miles (323.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 50m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 181.1 miles (291.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 40m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 03h 50m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Louisiana, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lake Charles and Elmwood.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Charles and Elmwood.
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1
Start on Enterprise Boulevard
146 m · 15 sec · Enterprise Boulevard
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2
Continue on Enterprise Boulevard
1.6 mi · 3 min · Enterprise Boulevard
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3
Turn right onto Belden Street
28 m · 2 sec · Belden Street
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4
Take the ramp slight left
1211 ft · 30 sec
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5
Merge slight left
195.1 mi · 3 hr 38 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward Clearview Parkway, Huey Long Bridge
862 ft · 18 sec
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7
Keep slight right to continue on Clearview Parkway South, Huey Long Bridge
1782 ft · 43 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Clearview Parkway
1.5 mi · 3 min · Clearview Parkway
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9
Continue on South Clearview Parkway
1.4 mi · 3 min · South Clearview Parkway
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10
Turn right onto Mounes Street
2126 ft · 54 sec · Mounes Street
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11
Turn right onto Distributors Row
23 m · 9 sec · Distributors Row
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12
Turn left
15 m · 4 sec
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake Charles and Elmwood.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Belden Street
Merge slight left
195 mi · 03h 38m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny leaving Lake Charles and Mostly Cloudy near Elmwood.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lake Charles to Elmwood?
The road trip is about 200.9 miles (323.3 km) and usually takes 03h 50m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Maringouin is a useful midpoint, sitting about 100.3 miles from Lake Charles and 100.5 miles from Elmwood.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 181.1 miles (291.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.8 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:20 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.85 one way or $53.70 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 63 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Lake Charles and Mostly Cloudy near Elmwood.
Stop Ideas Near Maringouin
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Maringouin.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Lafayette
New Iberia
Hammond
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lake Charles and Elmwood. Straight-line distance: 181.09 mi (291.44 km).
#1 Lake Charles
The second most populous city in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana.
| Population | 78,433 |
| Coordinates | 30.2130900, -93.2044000 |
| Altitude | 4 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Elmwood
City in Peoria County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 4,635 |
| Coordinates | 29.9565900, -90.1898000 |
| Altitude | 1 |
| Country | United States |
End: Elmwood (-90.1898, 29.95659)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 323 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 41m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 01m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 01m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 20m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 52m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 30m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $26.85 | $53.70 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $30.20 | $60.39 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $32.79 | $65.58 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $38.39 | $76.78 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Louisiana · May 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.